Bristol fall short as Skrela’s boot helps Stade to victory

Jan 12 2008 by Our Correspondent, South Wales Echo

BRISTOL’S hopes of progress in the Heineken Cup were dealt a blow as Stade Francais picked a hard-fought victory in a Pool 3 battle of attrition in Paris tonight.

Richard Hill’s men slipped to third in the group, and must now defeat leaders Cardiff next Sunday to have any hope of qualifying, as Stade found a greater cutting edge in the second half to emerge victorious.

Bristol, who failed to earn an all-important bonus point, were never completely out of the running and were just 9-6 behind with 30 minutes left.

However, tries by Ignacio Corleto and Julien Arias in the right corner in the space of 13 minutes did for the visitors.

Jason Strange booted two penalties and Tom Arscott went over for Bristol’s only try, in the 57th minute, but Stade – for whom David Skrela kicked three penalties – were deserved winners.

The French champions now need to beat Harlequins next Sunday and hope Bristol defeat Cardiff at home if they are to seal top spot.

When prop James Hobson failed to roll away from a ruck, Skrela drilled home a penalty to put Stade 3-0 up but after Hobson was penalised again at the breakdown moments later, the France fly-half squirmed his second attempt wide.

Rodrigo Roncero and Hobson were both then given 10 minutes in the cooler following a bout of fisticuffs and, from the resulting penalty, Strange made no mistake to level matters.

Skrela added a second penalty in the 28th minute to give the Frenchmen a 6-3 lead, and another on the stroke of half-time to further their advantage.

With the wind behind Bristol after the break and captain Mark Regan growing as a nuisance to Stade, it was definitely all to play for though, especially when Skrela botched an easy shot at goal in the 43rd minute.

Strange made him pay minutes later by nailing his second penalty of the night for 9-6, but Stade were growing in confidence and deservedly went over in the 52nd minute for the game’s first try.

Quick ball allowed Corleto, to crash home in the right corner. Bristol hit back immediately with Arscott scoring in the corner.

Neither try was converted, leaving the score at 14-11 with 20 minutes left.Skrela and Dominici linked up to send Arias over for a well-worked try in the 70th minute. That proved to be the winning score, with David Hill’s penalty miss meaning Bristol failed to pick up the bonus point.